Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2018 session began on February 20, and we’ll be working to build on last session’s achievements, championing a number of key priorities that will benefit Woodbury families, taxpayers and citizens.
First, with a sweeping tax reform bill passed by Congress late last year, one of the key issues legislators will be tackling this session is federal tax conformity. Currently, the Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates that with full federal conformity, Minnesota will collect several hundred million dollars in additional revenue. My goal is to ensure all of those dollars go right back to the taxpayers—not state government.
While the effects of federal tax changes won’t be felt by tax filers until 2019, addressing conformity now means fewer complications for taxpayers and a comprehensive plan that will ensure Minnesotans can take full advantage of state and federal tax relief.
Another issue that legislators will be addressing this session is the problem-plagued Minnesota Licensing and Registration System, or MNLARS. Many residents in our community and across the state have faced headaches and hassles trying to do previously simple tasks like renew tabs or transfer titles. MNLARS, which launched earlier this summer, cost taxpayers nearly $100 million to build and now the Dayton Administration is asking for another $43 million on top of that to fix it. This is a catastrophic failure by all involved, and taxpayers should not be forced to foot the bill to clean up this mess. The Legislature has held hearings in the interim and will continue to demand accountability from those responsible, while looking for fiscally-responsible solutions to the MNLARS mess.
While those are just two of the major issues that will be debated at the Legislature this session, I expect a number of other important initiatives to move forward as well including education reform, addressing elder abuse and neglect, capital investment, and more. If you have ideas, concerns or comments about any state government-related issue or policy proposal this session, please don’t hesitate to contact my office to talk or set up an appointment.
It is an honor and privilege to work for the people and priorities of Woodbury!
Protecting Students
The safety of our students is paramount, and that is why I am carrying legislation this session to clarify and strengthen state law surrounding teacher licensure. It came to light last year that a number of teachers in our state were licensed by the state Board of Teaching despite having criminal pasts involving sexual misconduct, violence and embezzling public funds.
My legislation clarifies state law, prohibiting people with domestic violence offenses, criminal sexual misconduct offenses, embezzlement of public funds, or individuals convicted of felonies or gross misdemeanors involving minors from being licensed in Minnesota. With lapse of judgement by the Board of Teaching, we must make it crystal clear that we are prioritizing the well-being and safety of Minnesota students first.
You can see the story I did on KSTP last week about it here.
Woodbury is #1!
According to a recent ranking by 24/7 Wall Street, Woodbury is the best city to live in in Minnesota. But of course, we didn’t need a survey to know that!
Our community is a wonderful place to call home, work, live and raise a family. It is a privilege to represent a community like ours at the Capitol!
Subcommittee on Workplace Safety & Respect
This week, I was named Vice Chair of a new Subcommittee on Workplace Safety & Respect. The subcommittee will deliver recommendations to lawmakers on policy changes after engaging with the public, employment law professionals, and other experts regarding harassment and discrimination.
I am proud to be a member of the Minnesota House and represent the people and priorities of Woodbury at the Capitol, and this subcommittee will work to ensure it is always a safe and respectful place for the public, staff, lobbyists and lawmakers. With recent news stories about harassment at the Capitol and across our nation coming to light, it is important that we carefully examine what we can do to make sure the Minnesota House of Representatives is, and continues to be, a welcoming place to all.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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